Glaucoma

Hello Readers,

This week we continue with Glaucoma. A quick recap is needed here. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that have the tendency to steal your sight without any warning or symptoms. Millions have it. Only half know that they have it. That’s why we call the disease “the sneak thief of sight”. Although there has been a lot of research, there is no known cure for glaucoma.{{more}} However, the use of medication and surgery can help to slow down or prevent further vision loss. Detecting the disease early is crucial.

Following is a short quiz:

1. Which of the following best describes glaucoma?

a) Group of eye diseases that when left untreated, damage the nerves that carry images from the eye to the brain, resulting in blindness
b) High eye pressure
c) Myopia
d) Lazy eye

2. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for glaucoma?

a) Being of African origin
b) Being over age 65
c) Being a member of a family with glaucoma
d) Having light brown-coloured eyes

3. If you have one of the risk factors for glaucoma, how often should you get a comprehensive eye exam?

a) Every one to two years
b) Every six years
c) Every three to four years
d) Every 10 years

4. Which of the following tests is 100 per cent effective in determining whether you have glaucoma?

a) Perimetry
b) Tonometry
c) Ophthalmoscopy
d) Pachymetry
e) none of the above

5. Which of the following is the most common form of glaucoma?

a) Open-angle glaucoma
b) Angle-closure glaucoma
c) Congenital glaucoma
d) Secondary glaucoma

Answers will be published next week.

Prepare and prevent instead of repair and repent. Check yearly, see clearly.

I am again inviting everyone to our presentation, “Everything you ever wanted to know about glaucoma” on July 27, 2013 at the Peace Memorial Hall from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Seating is limited; call and register. Telephone 456-1210.

We also plan to do presentations on other topics such as:

1. Are computers damaging to your eyes?

2. All you ever wanted to know about cataracts.

3. All you ever wanted to know about diabetic eye disease.

Until next week.

Dr Kenneth Onu is a resident Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Beachmont Eye Institute/Eyes R Us Send questions to: Beachmont@gmail.com
Tel: 784 456-1210